Rupee is the name of
Indian coin and currency. It was derived from a Sanskrit language word
Rupya. Rupya literally means the wrought silver used as coins of trade
or currency during 600-400 BCE (Before
Common
Era).

Earliest Vedic literature
(1500-600 BCE) from India mention coins as Satamanas, so far no specimens
have been found. The coins issued by several Early Kingdoms
from all over the India from 600-500 BCE were found. These coins have symbol
of sun with six radiating arms. They are mostly referred as punch mark
coins. Those symbols were still in use during Mauryan Empire, first
empire set up in India by indian emperor. Minting large quantities of coins
and using them as a means of trade transactions in India began during Mauryan
period (500-400 BCE).

Information about the
ancient indian coinage came from two different sources. Panini, Sanskrit
grammarian ( c. 500 BCE) wrote about coins and various fractions suggesting
that the concept of coins existed prior to 500 BCE. He mentioned Satamanas
(sata= 100, manas = units) and Karshapana ( subfraction). Each unit
was called Ratti, weighing 0.11 grams. Ratti is average weight
of a Gunja seed.

Mauryas were followed
by Indo-Bactrians (c. 185 - 50 BCE) and Kushanas (40-241 CE). These empires
in the north used portraits of the kings, greek gods or indian gods on
the coins.1Satavahanas
(120 - 300 CE) ruled central and southren India and issued coins with pictures
of elephents, horses and also kings' portaits.

Gupta empire (320-540
CE ) is considered as golden age of ancient India. Guptas minted coins
using molds and dies to give uniformity in shape. Gupta coins portrayed
pictures of royal activities and culture. Portraits of Hunter, horse rider,
musician, goddess of wealth Lakshmi or goddess of learning Saraswathi were
used on the coins.